Cub Scouts Howell Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

The Cub Scouts have been super busy now that it's spring and the weather is...kind of improving.  I planned a den meeting at the Howell Nature Center for Sean's den.  Unfortunately, it was pretty cold out still and I was getting over being sick, but the kids seemed to have a great time!

They started by playing a fun game inside with two leaders from the nature center that helped them understand the food chain.  Then, we went on a nature hike outside looking at the animals they had in cages that were rehabilitating and trying to find wildlife on our own.  We were lucky and spotted a bald eagle flying over one of the ponds!

We made our way back to the lodge to have our bagged lunches we all brought.  We brought cookies to share with all the kids and their families.  Then it was time for the boys' favorite part - the zip lining and climbing tower!  

Each kid got to zipline twice and the adults got to go once (those that wanted to).  It was so much fun!  

The climbing tower was the 2nd highest climbing wall in Michigan.  It was 60 feet tall.  My boys went last and just happened to go at the same time.  They both made it all the way to the top!  There was only one other scout who did the same.  I was really impressed!

I'd say everyone had a good time and enjoyed the fresh air!

The following weekend we had the entire pack meet at the Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor to do a hike and learn about the plants and trees.  We had a really large group that split into 8 different tour groups.  Our tour guides were very...knowledgeable and ran quite a tight ship.  We started in the indoor portion to look at the plants and trees inside.  

Next our group went outside to do a nature hike and look at trees.  We saw a crane, some birds we were able to identify, a giant turtle swimming, and a goose who was quite mad at us for how close we got to his lady friend and their eggs.  Oops!

We ended by making terrariums inside that we got to take home.  It was a fun meeting and we had some great weather!